Multi-planet solar system discovered
Posted: Thu, May 18, 2006, 7:04 AM ET (1104 GMT)
European astronomers have discovered three Neptune-sized exoplanets and a probable asteroid belt orbiting a Sunlike star. In a paper in the Thursday issue of the journal Nature, astronomers reported the discovery of the three exoplanets orbiting the star HD 69830, 41 light-years from Earth. All three have minimum masses of between 10 and 18 Earth masses, making them similar in size to Neptune. The innermost planet is thought to be a rocky world, while the outer two are gas giants; the outermost is at the inner edge of the star's habitability zone, where liquid water could exist. Astronomers also reported evidence of an asteroid belt encircling the star. The discovery was made using a high-resolution spectrograph at the European Southern Observatory, which was able to detect the minute Doppler shifts in the star's spectral lines caused by the planet's gravitational tugs.
European astronomers have discovered three Neptune-sized exoplanets and a probable asteroid belt orbiting a Sunlike star. In a paper in the Thursday issue of the journal Nature, astronomers reported the discovery of the three exoplanets orbiting the star HD 69830, 41 light-years from Earth. All three have minimum masses of between 10 and 18 Earth masses, making them similar in size to Neptune. The innermost planet is thought to be a rocky world, while the outer two are gas giants; the outermost is at the inner edge of the star's habitability zone, where liquid water could exist. Astronomers also reported evidence of an asteroid belt encircling the star. The discovery was made using a high-resolution spectrograph at the European Southern Observatory, which was able to detect the minute Doppler shifts in the star's spectral lines caused by the planet's gravitational tugs.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, July 4
Coolest spacecraft ever in orbit around L2
ESA — 4:24 am ET (0824 GMT) Moonwalker Aldrin says we should colonise Mars
The Herald — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) Interest in space memorabilia takes a leap
Financial Times — 4:22 am ET (0822 GMT) Evidence mounts that Mars was once habitable
Arizona Republic — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) First Moon images sent back by Nasa orbiter show incredible details just 10ft across
The Daily Mail — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) |